Shivamogga: “I am not a jobless, idle person. I have served as lawyer and judge of the High Court and the Supreme Court. In total, I have served 52 years in the judicial system of the country. The avenues for earning have not closed for me. Many people know how I served as president of the Karnataka Judicial Academy. I will execute my duty as Lokayukta in my own style, I need not imitate anybody.”
This is how Lokayukta Justice P. Vishwanath Shetty spoke about his track record to lead the Karnataka Lokayukta before mediapersons after holding a meeting with district level officers on Thursday.
He said the Lokayukta was capable and determined to root out corruption in the administrative system. “I will do what an efficient and committed Lokayukta can do,” he asserted. He further said that the Lokayukta is notmeant to only punish somebody or imprison a person. Cleansing the administration can be done by changing people’s mindset towards good governance. That also means one should not take this institution lightly.
Justice Shetty also said that it was unfair to state that the Lokayukta became inactive after the formation of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the state. The efficiency of the Lokayukta should be judged based on its commitment to addressing people’s problems. “Now also, the Lokayukta has additional powers which can win many hearts”, he said.
Lokayukta Additional Director General of Police Dr Parashivamurthy, Deputy Commissioner P. Lokesh and Zilla Panchayat CEO Rakesh Kumar were present.
